Tá ceist agam don Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna. I raise the issue of the incredibly challenging situation regarding school places for children with autism spectrum disorder, ASD, in Dublin 2, Dublin 4, Dublin 8 and especially in Dublin 6 and Dublin 6W. In an area of 80 sq. km, there are more than 80 primary schools, but only three have an ASD unit. No unit in south Dublin will have a place available for the next three years at least. Ultimately, there is no service in south Dublin. We need to support principals in what is a challenging role. They continue to do a great job. We need to be facilitated in giving these assets to schools. Will the Minister advise me of the actions the Department is taking in this regard?

This issue with regard to south Dublin has been raised by a number of Deputies on all sides of the House. I assure the Deputy that we are conscious of the demand for places. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has been in touch with many individual schools. I have decided to invoke my powers under the legislation for a second time. I invoked it in respect of Dublin 15 last April. This unilateral invocation of powers under legislation is not good enough in itself. This issue has to be resolved on the basis of persuasion and partnership. I implore the schools to stay in touch with the NCSE and my officials. If they have concerns and fears - and I know there are concerns about support systems for schools - we will alleviate them if we can. At the end of the day, the demand comes from mothers and fathers whose children do not have a place. That is the immediate priority. It is with reluctance that I invoke the legislation again and direct schools to add classes. This will not work without partnership. There is a very good example in Dublin 15. People, including Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, showed leadership in this regard and we now have the places we sought back in April. Invoking legislation is not in itself good enough. We also have to persuade people.